Boardinghouse

Director - John Wintergate (Sally and Jess)

Starring - John Wintergate, Kalassu (Night Court, Terror on Tour), and Lindsay Freeman (Body Double, Fairy Tales)

Release Date - 1982

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "...where the rent wont kill you, but something else will!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) 

Rating (out of 5):

     Several years ago I started collecting the releases from a small label called Slasher//Video.  They released some pretty obscure films that I had never heard of until they started handling them.  After a few releases they started partnering with Olive Films to get these films released on blu.  One of the films that I remember them releasing was the 1982 supernatural horror film Boardinghouse from director John Wintergate.  I never received the film for review but I did snag a copy on DVD for my collection.  The blu went out of print fairly quickly so I was only able to snag the DVD.  However, when AGFA announced a release of the film on blu in conjunction with Bleeding Skull I was excited to upgrade my copy while adding another AGFA release to my collection.  

     The film follows Jim Royce (Wintergate) who buys an old house to turn into a boardinghouse.  The home was once the site of a horrific murder but he doesn't care.  He wants to use it to fill with beautiful women and soon finds tenants for every room.  The house soon awakens Jim's psychic powers and before long all the female tenants are under attack.  One by one they fall victim to his mental powers.  

    Boardinghouse is one of those films that is far from perfect but it is a lot of fun.  It's goofy, weird, and fun which is the kind of movie that I love.  Honestly, I feel like this one would have been right at home on shows like USA Up All Night.  Like I said, it's not perfect but god damn is it fun.  The acting in this one leaves a lot of room for improvement.  The cast is fairly inexperienced but they really do try to get into their roles.  The characters mostly blend into the background with the exception of director Wintergate's character.  He is awkward at times but nothing that takes away from the overall film.  The story for this one sets itself up to be something gloriously sleazy but surprisingly tones it down.  It's equal parts haunted house/supernatural thriller and slasher.  There is some nudity but no more than most films of the time.  The story focuses heavily on the director's character and the odd story that comes out of it.  The film does have some strained scenes with awkward and borderline bad dialogue but the weird and what the fuck moments more than make up for it.  The pacing is all wrong but once again it is saved by the weirdness.  Finally, if you want some light blood and boobs then this film is for you.  It's overflowing with dated visual effects and light practical effects.  However, if it's gore you are looking for then you will be very disappointed.  Overall, Boardinghouse is not going to be for everyone which is something I often say when reviewing a release from AGFA.  It's a strange film that can be unintentionally funny but the weirdness makes it very enjoyable.   I highly recommend it.